Jennifer Vanderlaan, Ph.D., MPH, CNM
Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track)
Biography
Jennifer Vanderlaan, Ph.D, MPH, CNM, is an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Nursing. Vanderlaan is a certified nurse-midwife with clinical and research expertise focused on maternal health, midwifery workforce dynamics, and health policy.
Vanderlaan's research centers on enhancing maternal and neonatal outcomes through evidence-based practice and effective health systems planning. She led research on the Midwifery Workforce Project (2022–2023) with the American College of Nurse-Midwives, conducting a comprehensive analysis to inform policy advocacy aimed at optimizing midwifery workforce capacity nationwide. Her scholarly contributions, recognized with numerous awards such as the Burkhardt Murphy Public Health Midwifery Award and the Nursing for Women’s Health Excellence in Writing Award, significantly influence midwifery education, regulation, and advocacy nationally and internationally.
Vanderlaan is currently completing a Faculty Opportunity Award (FOA) at UNLV, which supports innovative interdisciplinary research initiatives. Through this project, she and a multidisciplinary team from nursing, business, public health, and computer engineering are exploring maternal risk-appropriate care using all-payer claims databases, aiming to address severe maternal morbidity and maternal health disparities.
Expertise
Maternal Health, Midwifery Workforce Dynamics, Health Policy, Health Systems Research, Maternal Risk-Appropriate Care, and Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration.
Classes Taught
Graduate Courses
- Health Policy
- Population Health
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Informatics & Quality Improvement
- Systems Science
- Professional Issues in Nurse-Midwifery
- Analysis/Economics of Healthcare Systems
- Nurse Educator Scholarship Project
Undergraduate Courses
- Medical Terminology
- Nutrition and Development Across the Lifespan
- Community Health
Education Background
She earned her Ph.D. in nursing from Emory University, where she also completed her master of public health (MPH) with a concentration in global health, and her master of science in nursing (MSN) as a family nurse-midwife, combining training as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and certified nurse-midwife (CNM). She holds a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from Russell Sage College and a bachelor of science (BS) in physiology and psychology from Michigan State University. Vanderlaan is currently pursuing a master of business administration (MBA), further extending her leadership capabilities in healthcare innovation, management, and policy.
Research or Scholarship
Her research and scholarly work include developing methods to study maternal health systems, translating workforce research into policy and advocacy, and evaluating practice to improve nursing care.
Awards, recognitions, or group affiliations
- 2025: Top Cited Article – Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health
- 2024: Burkhardt Murphy Public Health Midwifery Award
- 2024: Nursing for Women’s Health Excellence in Writing Award